February 8, 2024

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Today’s Forecast

57º | Partly cloudy | 6% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:07 a.m. | Sunset 5:41 p.m.

🔎 Planning to preserve

A watercolor sketch of Shockoe Slip with several storefronts and cobblestone streets. There are people milling about the street in the abstract.

Cultural resources include tangible resources, like the historic storefronts pictured in this watercolor of Shockoe Slip. | Photo from VCU Library Digital Collection

The city is moving to the next phase in establishing a comprehensive approach to historic and cultural preservation. Leaders of the Cultural Heritage Stewardship Plan — previously known as the Cultural Resources Management Plan — released a project outline that’s now open for public comment.

Background

The city-wide plan will guide how Richmond addresses historic and cultural preservation with practical strategies and goals, as well as a focus on equity and inclusion.

A primary focus of the CHSP is identifying those cultural and historic assets — literally. The umbrella term can be applied to tangible resources like buildings and archaeological artifacts, but also intangible ones like community identities and oral histories.

After identification, the plan will include ways to recognize, safeguard, and manage change surrounding these resources.

RICtoday_DooleyHospital_VCU_History — Richmond is filled with history — the entrance to the former Dooley Hospital and a bust of Hippocrates can be found on VCU’s MCV campus.
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Photo by RICtoday

What’s in the outline

The project outline is an overview of what will be in the final plan — which means it’s a great time to highlight what might be missing, or what could use more attention.

The final plan will include overview of Richmond’s history and information about past and present preservation programs. Then it’ll go into how it will actually used by city leaders, preservation groups, residents, developers, and other stakeholders.

The outline also identifies some trends and challenges which will be addressed in the final plan, including Richmond’s population growth, housing affordability, deterioration and demolition, and natural disasters.

RICtoday_MainLibrary_RichmondPublicLibrary — Head to the Main Library Auditorium for one of two open house sessions to discuss the plan.
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Photo by RICtoday

Get involved

Flip through the project outline and leave your thoughts. Pro tip: You can see what others have commented by clicking on the yellow speech bubbles in the document.

There will also be two informal, interactive open house events where you can hear from the project team and get a hands-on look at their work. Both are on Wednesday, Feb. 28.

RPL Main Branch, 101 E. Franklin St. | 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Hickory Hill Community Center, 3000 E. Belt Blvd. | 5-7 p.m.

Events

Thursday, Feb. 8

Ramen Night | Thursday, Feb. 8 | 5-7 p.m. | The Smoky Mug, 15 E. Brookland Park Blvd., Richmond | Cost of purchase | Swing by this pop-up to try a bowl of beef, pork, or coconut broth with brisket or pork belly before they sell out.

Friday, Feb. 9

Haunted Hearts Valentines Market | Friday, Feb. 9 | 5-9 p.m. | The Veil Brewing Co., 1509 Belleville St., Richmond | Free entry | Love is in the air at this Scott’s Addition market.
“The Fifth Element” | Friday, Feb. 9 | 7 p.m. | The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary St., Richmond | $9 | See the Luc Besson sci-fi film starring Bruce Willis on the big screen.
Improvised Dateline | Friday, Feb. 9 | 7:30-8:30 p.m. | Coalition Theater, 8 W. Broad St., Richmond | $5-$10 | Lies will be exposed, secrets uncovered, and mysteries brought to light at this night of improv.

Saturday, Feb. 10

History Notes: An Intimate Evening of History & Music | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 6-8 p.m. | Virginia Museum of History & Culture, 428 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | $48 | Enjoy an evening of brief history talk with rare items from the VMHC collections followed by musical selections played by a chamber ensemble of some of Richmond’s most talented musicians.*
Tokyo Melody | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 7 p.m. | Gallery5, 200 W. Marshall St., Richmond | $8 | Enjoy an evening of Japanese City Pop with special guest Les the DJ to raise funds for WRIR.
RVA Square Dance | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 7:30-10 p.m. | Studio Two Three, 109 W. 15th St., Richmond | $0-$10 | Swing your partner round and round at this dance with music by The Peppercorns string band and Dave Hauver calling.

Sunday, Feb. 11

Big Gay Market | Sunday, Feb. 11 | 12-4 p.m. | Diversity Richmond, 1403 Sherwood Ave., Richmond | Free entry | The indoor event hall will welcome dozens of makers, artists, and farmers — plus, tunes by DJ Bear Bonez and a food truck.
Swiftie Bowl Party: Taylor’s Version | Sunday, Feb. 11 | 6:30 p.m. | Buskey Cider, 2910 W. Leigh St., Richmond | Free entry | The big game at Buskey includes Swiftie-named ciders, friendship bracelets, costume contests, and a huge projector screen to watch the Chiefs and 49ers.

More local events

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News Notes

Arts

Two new exhibits opened at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia yesterday. “Stolen Lives, Dreamed Lives” features sculptures by Sandrine Plante and “Visions of Progress” includes photographs of African American life before the Harlem Renaissance. Both close at the end of the month.

Eat

Ruby Scoops is partnering with five local Black chefs to create new ice cream flavors all month long. Starting today, you can try Leah’s Grape Cobbler — sugar cookie dough ice cream with grape jam and black pepper oregano shortbread — made in collaboration with Leah Branch of The Roosevelt.

Edu

Shavonda Dixon is the new 9th District School Board Representative. Dixon is a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School and a mother of two. The board voted to appoint her at its meeting this week; she will be sworn in on Tuesday, Feb. 20.

Environment

You’ve got until tomorrow to tell PlanRVA what pollution-related problems you’d like solved. The group recently got $1 million from the EPA to start reducing greenhouse gases in our region. The survey will help develop a document of priority projects.

Civic

Any changes to the city charter will have to wait until next year. A General Assembly subcommittee voted to carry over consideration of the first round of proposed changes until the 2025 session.

Festival

Mark your calendar for Mobile Soul Sunday on March 10 from 12 to 5 p.m. at Monroe Park. The food truck-centered festivities will also include tunes from DJ Rayvon and a vendor market.

Kids

Get ready for a free dance party at Triple Crossing – Fulton this Sunday, Feb. 11 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Valentine edition of the Beatbox will be fun for the whole family — check out this feature on the DJs who founded the event series, both of whom are fathers. (Style Weekly)

Travel

A friendly reminder to book spring + summer vacations (they’re just around the corner). Looking for privacy? This beachfront Bahamas cottage is perfect for two. Prefer the mountains? Book this newly built Gatlinburg, TN cabin. Want beach time? Walk to St. Simons, GA’s shore from this Vrbo that’s also a treehouse.*

Eat

🍕 You want a pizza this?

Pizza Bones varies its red and white specials on a regular basis. | Photo by RICtoday

Tomorrow is National Pizza Day, which seems a good enough reason to share our guide to places to grab pizza that are definitely worth the dough.

Pizza Bones, Union Hill
Owner and VCU alum Ashley Patino specializes in morning baked goods and afternoon ‘za.

Pupatella, The Fan
This Neopolitan pizzeria offers a variety of red and white pizzas. Try this: the Mimosa white pizza with Italian cream, roasted corn, prosciutto cotto, and fresh mozzarella.

Hot For Pizza, Carver
This spot specializes in creative combinations. We want to try the Reagle Beagle, Captain Planet, and Pesto Both World pies.

Zorch Pizza, Carytown
Swing by for a New York Style slice or a whole pie. The White Out signature pizza has caramelized onions, basil, ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan.

Our full guide also has an interactive map. Find the slice closest to you, plus vegan and gluten-free options, at the button below.

Find your lunch

The Buy

The Giving Heart pillow — a cream, knitted, heart-shaped pillow that’s weighted to replicate the feeling of a real hug. It’s the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for loved ones who deserve some extra coziness and care.

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The Wrap

Robin Schwartzkopf in a red button down shirt

Today’s edition by:
Robin

From the editor

If you’re a Directioner like me — that’s a fan of the boy band One Direction — or just enjoy a Double IPA, you might be interested in the Harry Styles-themed beer Hardywood is releasing tomorrow.

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